Rota gets $142K for projects

The Marianas Visitors Authority will soon obtain an additional $20,000 for the production of an economic and tourism promotional video for Rota Island, soon after Gov. Juan N. Babauta signed into law a measure that sets aside $142,000 for different projects on the island.

The local appropriations measure, House Local Bill 13-12, will get the $142,000 from the local license fees for pachinko slot machines and poker machines in the First Senatorial District.

As outlined in the newly signed local law, $23,000 of the money would go to the subsistence allowance of dialysis patients, at $500 per month per patient, to include arrears; $10,000 for local products competition awards during the island’s Agriculture Fair; and $5,000, Mes Man Amko-Quality of Life celebration activities and travel. The expenditure authority for these funds will be Rota Mayor Benjamin Manglona.

The MVA will be the expenditure authority for the $20,000 going to the Rota promotional video production.

Some $14,000 would go toward the community development programs, occupational enhancement and private sector job placement activities of the Rota Municipal Council, with the Chairman of the Rota Municipal Council as the expenditure authority.

Other beneficiaries of the appropriation are the Rota Boxing Association, $8,000; Junior Golf Association, $4,000; Amateur Rota Golf Association, $5,000; the Kolehio Foundation for the publication of a Rota History Book, $5,000; and another $14,000 for the foundation’s computer replacements and books. The expenditure authority for these appropriations will be the President of each association or foundation.

The Rota Elementary School, Rota Jr. High School and Rota High School will also get $2,000 each to be used for the Exemplary Teachers awards, while the Rota Headstart will get $3,000 for the awards. The principal of each of these schools will be the expenditure authority.

The Special Assistant of the Women’s Affair’s Office will be the expenditure authority for the $7,000 that is appropriated for the Women Helping People Foundation.

The rest of the money would go to the Department of Public Safety for its Sinapalo office rental, $4,000; Department of Public Works heavy equipment parts, $10,000; and sports equipment and Boy Scouts activities, $4,000.